Voice of Tamil Nadu MPs in Parliament
Tamil Nadu: Here is a summary of the key issues and questions raised by Tamil Nadu MPs in both Houses of Parliament and the responses given by the concerned ministers.
Why is the Chennai-Bengaluru Expressway being delayed?
In response to questions raised by S. Jagathrakshakan, the DMK member from the Arakkonam constituency, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari said that all work on Phase 3 of the Chennai-Bengaluru Expressway, except for the Arakkonam-Kanchipuram section, is expected to be completed by July 2026. Work on the Arakkonam-Kanchipuram section has been stalled since May last year due to financial problems faced by the contractor. He said that the National Highways Authority of India had issued a notice to the contractor in November last year for termination of the contract.
Declare Pongal a Central Holiday!
Speaking under Rule 377, P. Ganapathi Rajkumar, the DMK member from the Coimbatore constituency, said that Pongal is a harvest festival celebrated by Tamil people every year on January 15th. The total number of Tamil people worldwide is approximately 135.78 million. Pongal is celebrated every year on January 14th, 15th, and 16th with state government holidays. To ensure that all Tamil people across the country can celebrate the Pongal festival happily and peacefully with their families, the Central Government should take steps to declare January 15th a public holiday in all central government and Union Territory offices and institutions across the country.
Is there any special program for medicinal plants in Tamil Nadu?
In response to questions raised by Dr. M.K. Vishnu Prasad, the Congress member from the Cuddalore constituency, Minister of State for AYUSH, Prataprao Jadhav, said, “The National Medicinal Plants Board of the Ministry of AYUSH is currently implementing a scheme for the conservation, development, and sustainable management of medicinal plants. Accordingly, financial assistance is being provided to medicinal plant conservation and development areas established by the Forest Department.” He said that financial assistance has been provided to the Yercaud Botanical Garden, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University in Coimbatore, and the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education – Institute of Forest Genetics and Tree Breeding for maintaining special collections, including medicinal plants. What is the status of the waterways projects in Tamil Nadu?
In this regard, in response to questions raised by Congress member Shashikant Senthil from the Tiruvallur constituency, Union Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said that the Inland Waterways Authority of India, an autonomous body under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, has already completed feasibility studies for the Buckingham Canal waterway project (part of Waterway 4), Bhavani River (Waterway No. 20), Cauvery-Kollidam River (Waterway No. 55), Pazhayaru (Waterway No. 77) and Ponniyaru (Waterway No. 80). The Authority has sanctioned Rs. 5.23 crore for updating the detailed project report of the waterways, including the Buckingham Canal.
In the Rajya Sabha…
Will the pending rail projects in Tamil Nadu be completed?
In this regard, in response to questions raised by DMK member P. Wilson, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said that in-principle approval has been given for handing over the assets, operations and maintenance of the Puzhal railway services to the Tamil Nadu government. A Memorandum of Understanding is being prepared between both parties. The 22.52 km long Attipattu – Gummidipoondi Line 3 and 4 has recently been sanctioned and work has commenced. He said that as of April 1 last year, 15 projects (9 new lines, 3 line conversions and 3 double lines) of 1,700 km length have been sanctioned for implementation at a cost of Rs. 22,808 crore.
Reduce power generation interest rates
In this regard, DMK member R. Kiriranjan stated that the Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (TANGEDCO) has taken loans from central financial institutions such as Power Finance Corporation and REC to streamline its operations and improve its financial position. The interest rate on these loans has been reduced to approximately 10.5 percent. The Tamil Nadu government is pushing for a further reduction to 8 percent. At the current interest rate, TANGEDCO has to pay approximately ₹7,000 crore annually in interest. Therefore, the interest rate should be reduced by at least 1.5 percent, he added.
